Last Chance Monday

All missing assignments MUST be turned in by Monday (some by Sunday).  Congrats to Caroline, Morgan, and Hannah for figuring out how to use turnitin. I will be closing the Health Care and Life, Liberty,... Forums Sunday afternoon (4ish).  And you should definitely check out the Moodle.  I added some goodies.  The Unit Exam has 63 questions right now - I will cut 13 by Monday.  As I trim it down, you should beef up your knowledge.  Enjoy HC and be smart.  This is supposed to be an amazingly fun year - but remember that you should also have (at least) 70 more ahead of you.  As you get older, don't only worry about what Santa, mom, dad, or your first grade teacher would think.  Consider what your sweet, loving grandmother would say if she had screens on the back of her eyelids that forced her to watch you at all times.  Scary, I know - but "mi abuelita" has saved me from a few bad decisions in my life thus far.  Ciao...

Brains, Gimme Your Brains!

Exhaustion abounds for all of us - my brain is wired and tired. So many ideas, so many things...I met many parents this afternoon/evening. I was pleased by many of your test scores - all I really wanted was some improvement from week to week. Monday will be the TRUE EXAM, with all material from Chapters 1, 2, and 3 included. You should be studying, not learning now. If you have not read the first three chapters - in their entirety - I suggest you do so tomorrow. Then you can spend Saturday and/or Sunday STUDYING. 50 MC questions: 15-20 of which will be IDENTICAL to ones I asked in the quizzes. No notes. Full class period. We will analyze it on Tuesday. If you have questions, use the comments, forums, email, etc. NO EXCUSES! If you have ANY missing forums or assignments, they MUST BE IN BY MONDAY!!! And do not forget about your essay. So much due on one day - those of you who have been reading, posting, etc. as I originally assigned everything should have plenty of time. Those of you playing catch-up may feel stressed...and you deserve it. I'll be at school tomorrow until noon, and then I'm working the clock for the games on Saturday - I hope to see many of you there...stop by and say hello.

Share and Share Alike

Power?  SHaring?  No Way!  When it comes to Federalism...yes way!  Your quiz is set.  It's a little more textbook-based sicne we zoomed through the in-class presentation, but there are still many that you can get simply by being somewhat coherent during class (Simon?  Florrie?).  Thirty Multiple Choice questions.  Thirty Minutes...not a second more.  I will be at school by 7:45 if anyone needs to take it early due to HC/SG stuff.  Otherwise...get back to studying (or at least start to do so)...

DC or not DC

So you learned about the DC trip - I hope some of you really explore the possibility.  It is an amazing opportunity.  I covered as much as I could regarding Federalism and will finish the rest, including Grants tomorrow.  I don't have much to add other than the following three items:

1. I will extend Preamble recitation opportunities to  next Wednesday.
2. I need some people - say about 1 per class - to collaborate once a day and post a "what happened in class today" recap for everyone.  Perfect EC opportunity for those of you who may need it.  I'll explain in more detail when we have the time.
   
3. Remember to wear as much orange as possible for your senior class picture tomorrow.

Oh - make some comments in the test forum (grouping 4).  I am playing with the moodle gradebook and want to test things out.  Remind me to show you BIG BROTHER mode.  Scary.

Adios...

Hungry? Thirsty? Dirty? Smelly?

I won't go into what else some of you have been missing over the past 20+ hours...especially my 3rd period class.  More than decimated due to Yom Kippur.  I gather many of you read up on Jonah.  Those of us in class went over yesterday's blog post, a few Preambles, and we watched some GI Joe PSAs (Knowing is Half the Battle) before browsing some Federalism videos to help introduce or better understand material.  This week is going to be a bit rushed due to some HC festivities, including the senior picture  - seniors are released at 11 on Weds - we miss a lot of Ch. 3 time - so I hope you read and are ready to ask questions - I hope to go through everything tomorrow, but we'll lose 10 mins to Hooper talking about the forums and the DC trip in February.

So, the videos we watched are linked to and explained below.  I am not embedding them or it will get too long.

You can watch Fred on Federalism as he explains what it means using a Republican (conservative - even more libertarian) viewpoint.  Even if you disagree with his politics, you have to respect his questions - which are at the root of any and all policy decisions.

There is also one that may be a little cheesy but informative.  You can also find links to other short segments produced by the same company.  There is even another, even shorter series you may want, but check out their explanation of federalism.

I will also suggest the DiscoveryStreaming  site.  You will need a password (coming soon) to get in, but search for relevant support if you are having difficulty understanding something.

Then there is the other short series you can use as an introduction to material. 

You can submit your Amendment essay into turnitin now.  Do not wait until the last minute...just in case you can't figure out how to turn it in.  No excuses.  If I were you, I'd submit a hard copy to me BEFORE you leave school next Monday.

My internet connection is getting weird now - I'll come back and update more later.

HELP! I'm Failing and I Don't Know What to Do!!

First off - a head's up. Anyone with less than 40% was marked as having an F at midterms. Just to wake you up to a possibility. Anyone under 55% got a D marked in. Grades will be sent home reflecting this. THIS IS NOT YOUR FINAL GRADE - IT ONLY MEANS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PROGRESS (effort, understanding, ability, interest, assistance/guidance, etc.). Now - what can you do about it (and many of you who are in the 60s-80s probably want better marks too).

1. Read to understand, not to just "get it done" so you can say to yourself you finished. It may take you more time to comprehend a textbook designed for Political Science 101 college students. But it is not beyond any of you. If you can't answer the why, or how after answering the what, who, and when - go back and reread it. It may even help to overcome a certain phobia...note-taking. Oh, the horror. Writing down main ideas, questions you may have, and even using new data to support or refute previous ideas may actually improve your understanding...and...wait for it...interest. This may even result in improved achievement!

But wait! There's more!

2. ASK FOR HELP. Seriously, you are seniors. If you have difficulties (time, ability, basic confusion, etc.), seek out someone who can help you. I'm available before or after school (even online) if you have questions. Some of you may even have friends willing and able to clear up some difficulties and share their secrets with you. I am sure many of you can even approach your financial supporters for some emotional and academic assistance - they're your parents. They love you and will, I am sure, do what they can to help you. They don't just pay the bills by buying you clothes, food, and providing some spending money at times. They're there to help nurture and guide you...use 'em.

3. If you're having trouble with the basics of the material, try shmoop. Google it.

4. Pick yourself up, dust off that ego, and believe in yourself. You've made it this far. Don't waste all of the hard work you, your family, your friends, even enemies, teachers, and society as a whole have put into getting you ready for life as an adult.

5. R - E - L - A - X. It's only been 4 weeks. Your first four weeks of life were spent sleeping, pooping, eating, crying, and disrupting your parent's lives. Take it easy on them and yourself and look forward to a new plan with new ideas.

We'll watch some short videos in class tomorrow and I'll share some study/test tricks that have helped me in the past.

Does anyone know the daily themes for Spirit Week?  Post them in the COMMENTS section, thanks.

Lastly - I think Odin is wearing #4 today.

Adios...